Top companies aim to defend poor CO2 reporting

The AA has sought to defend its non-disclosure of carbon emissions data by saying the company acts rather than just talks about the issue.

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh Business School said the AA did not release its carbon emissions data and no reference to emissions could be found in any of the firm's communications.

AA president Edmund King said: 'We like to do things rather than talk about them. You can talk about acting on CO2 or you can actually act on it. I do not think that, because we did not fill in a form, we are not committed. The AA is extremely committed to reducing our CO2 output generally because it helps the environment, but it also helps to reduce business costs.'

Costcutter merely defended not releasing its data by reaffirming its commitment to being a 'socially responsible company'.

BMI also declined to comment on its position after ranking poorly in the survey. Selfridges, Burger King and Wagamama also did not respond to enquiries about their poor performances.

British Airways was one of the top performers.

Head of media relations Paul Marston said: 'We have been publishing our carbon emissions performance for more than a decade.

'The rationale was quite simple: unless you measure your carbon output, you can't be in a position to reduce it.'